North Jetty (Hikkaduwa) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. This forecast for the Hikkaduwa region is a bit of a rough one. For the first few days, the conditions are just not playing ball. We’ve got onshore winds and a lot of stormy weather, so the surf is going to be pretty messy. The period starts with a bit of a blank run, so don't get your hopes up for the first part of the week.

Alright, let's look at the only real option on the table: North Jetty (Hikkaduwa). This is a point break that's fairly consistent. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no big surprises there. The wind is a real problem though. Up until the 18th of August, it’s mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and with that 12 mph wind, the surface is going to be choppy and ugly. The swell is coming from the W and SSW, but the direction is not ideal for this spot; it prefers a SW swell.

The first time we see a real pulse of energy is on the 18th of August. The combined energy jumps up to 3231 (moderate wave energy), and the swell is 7 ft from the SSW. But even then, the wind is cross-onshore and it’s still a bit of a mess, so it’s only marginal. The period is 19 seconds, which is a long period groundswell – that’s good for shape but can make the paddle out easier. However, with the wind, it’s not going to be clean.

The 19th of August sees the biggest swell of the run, 7 ft from the SSW, with a combined energy of 3581 (strong energy). Still, the wind is cross-onshore, and it's rated as poor. This is a powerful swell, but it's not going to be pretty. This solid 6 ft+ groundswell is really only for the experienced crew; beginners should sit this one out.

The wind rarely lets up. It’s a steady 12 mph from the W or WSW for most of the period, with some cross-onshore action. The wind state is described as "on" or "cross-on" for nearly every session, which is a bummer. The swell direction is mainly from the SSW and SW, which is close to the optimum for this break, but the wind is the main issue.

The only real standout window I can see, and it's a long shot, is around the 26th of August. The swell is 5 ft from the SW, with a period of 18 seconds. The combined energy is 1823 (moderate wave energy). The wind is still onshore, but it's at least not cross-onshore. This might be the best of a bad bunch. It's a long-range call, so take it with a grain of salt, but it's the closest thing to a clean-ish session we've got.

For the rest of the run, from the 20th through the 31st, it’s a lot of the same: 3 ft to 6 ft surf, onshore or cross-onshore winds, and a lot of "risk tstorm" weather. The energy levels are moderate, but the quality is just not there. The surf is going to be choppy, and it's going to be a struggle to find a clean wave.

In short, the wind is the enemy here. The swell is there, but the conditions are not. Keep an eye on the 26th of August, but don't hold your breath. This is a tough one for the paddlers.

Rusty.

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